Cash-register.



PATENTED JAN. 13, 1903.

T A E L G T. 5 6 1 8 l 7 m N CASH REGISTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9. 1899.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

HE Mr: r-wzns co PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGT PATBNTED JAN. 13, 1903.

No. 718,565. r

J. P. GL-EAL.

CASH REGISTER; urmouron nun in. 9, 1899. 10 101m.

' INVENTOR. W

' A TTORZVEY.

%NESSES No. 718,565. PATENTED JAN-13, 1903.

I. P. OLEAL.

GASH REGISTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9 1899, N0 MODEL. I 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

,luuuuuuw il WITNESSES: INVENTOR. I

ATTORNE%;

PATBNTED JAN. 13, 1903.

J. P; GLEAL. CASH REGISTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 9, 1899.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

N0 MODEL.

A TTORNEY lI/ITNESSES:

m: Nonms mans cu.. PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON, D c.

PATENTED JAN. 13, 1903.

J. P. QLEAL. CASH REGISTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 9, 1899.

5 SHEETSSHEE T 5.

H0 MODEL.

i i/humus Y UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

JOSEPH P. CLEAL, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS;

TO NATIONAL CASH REGISTER COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JER- SEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

I CASH-REGISTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 718,565, dated. January 13, 1903.

A Application filed March 9,1899. Serial No. 708,380. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH P. CLEAL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cash-Registers, of which I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements .in

IQ cash-registers, and has more particular relation to improvements in registers of the type set forth and described in patent to Thomas Carney, No. 588,127, granted August 17, 1897, and also included in pending applications of I5 said Carney, Serial No. 679,324, filed April 30, 1898, and Serial No. 660,584, filed December 3, 1897.

One of the several objects of the invention is to provide a multiple counter or depart- 2o ment register having an improved indicator for indicating the particular counter or department in which a transaction is being recorded.

Another object is to provide such a register with improved printing means for printing an indication, in connection with the amount, of a counter in which the transaction is recorded.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 0 vide improved locking means whereby the different counters may be locked in or out of operative position or in intermediate positions.

In the appended drawings, forming part of 5 this specification, Figure 1 represents a top plan view, partly broken away, of the devices embodying my invention applied to a two-counter machine. Fig. 2 represents an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 represents a vertical section through the machine on the line mac of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a side elevation, partly in section, of the latch for the indicator-operating slide. Fig. 1 represents a partial top plan View of my said improvements with one of the counters removed for clearuess. Fig. 5 represents an enlarged detail perspective View of the shifting-rod and a-portion of one of the counter-frames. Fig.5 represents an enlarged detail perspective view of a portion of one of the counterframes and its throwing-lever. Fig. 7 represents an enlarged detail perspective view of the connection between the counter-frame and indicator-operating devices and the locking-lever and shifting-rod; and Fig. 8 represents an enlarged detail perspective view of the shifting-rod, printing-segment, and connecting-lever.

In the said drawings, 1 represents the frame of the machine; 2, the operating amountkeys; 3, the counters; 4, the special indicator, and 5 the printer.

In the aforesaid patent but one counter is employed; but in myim proved machine two similar counters 3 3 are provided and so constructed that either one or the other may be operated at will by the same key mechanism. The said counters, each of which is similar in construction andpperation to that included in the before-mentioned patent, are mounted in frames 3, which are pivoted on the main frame near the opposite sides of the machine in such manner that they may be oscillated or swung forward to bring the counters into the proper positions to receive motion from segmental operating-racks 7, 8, and 9 and 10, 11, and 12. (See Fig. 1.) The three lastmentioned racks receive motion from the operating-keys, as fully described in said patent, while the three former racks are coupled to the said racks 1O, 11, and 12 by devices hereinafter more fully described. The oscillating or throwing of the counters as above is accomplished by means of a plurality of cams 13 and 14., fast upon the rotatable shaft 25 of the machine and engaging, respectively, with antifriction-rollers 16, mounted on the outer ends of throwing-levers 18 and 19, which are pivoted on the respective counterframes. The construction and location of each of these levers is such that the antifriction-roller of the same projects into the path of its respective cam when the forward end of the lever is depressed by one of two plungers 10, mounted, respectively, in sockets formed in the frames of the respective counters. Each of these plungers is forced forwardpartly out of its respective socket when relieved of the pressure of its arm 8 or 9, hereinafter described, by a suitable spring 21, mounted in the socket behind it. (See Fig. 6.) The under sides of the plungers are notched or reduced, as shown in Fig. 5 or Fig. 6, and each of said levers 18 and 19 bears with its rear end against the under side of its respective plunger, so that the positions of said plungers, with their reduced portions either in or out of alinement with said levers, govern the positions of the latter, and thus render them efieotive or not, as the case may be, by moving them into or out of operative position, the movements of said levers being limited by stop-pins 23 mounted on the frames of the registeringmechanisms. Thelocationofsaid reduced portions is such that when one of the same is in alinement with its respective lever the other is out of such alinement with its lever. Each of the oscillating counter-frames is provided with a rigid arm 28, having an antifriction-roller 29, which is adapted to engage the periphery of one of two cams 13 and 14?, mounted on shaft 25, and thus receive motion to return the counter-frame to its original position after it has been thrown forward. The aforesaid racks 7", 8, and 9 and 10, 11, and 12 are coupled together in pairs in the following manner: The racks 7 and 10, which are adapted to operate the units-of-dollars registeringwheels of the counters, are both keyed or otherwise rigidly secured to the shaft 526 upon which they are mounted, so as to move together, while the racks 8 and 11, which operate the respective tens-of-cents registering-wheels, are loose upon the shaft, but are yoked together by a frame 30, (see Fig. 1,) so to move simultaneously. The racks 9 and 12 which govern the five-cent registering-wheel, are also mounted loosely upon the said shaft, and one of the same is extended to mesh with a gearwheel 32% fast upon an auxiliary couplingshaft This shaft is suitably journaled in the frame of the machine and is provided with a pinion 34, which meshes with the remaining rack 9 of this set. By the above-described means the segmental racks move in sets, so that either of the counters may be operated by being brought into connection with the same. The said plungers 10 are operated by a longitudinally-movable rod 6, provided with a coil-spring 6 which engages a suitable'projection of the frame, so as to hold said rod normally in one position. Three arms 7, 8, and 9, respectively,- are mounted on said rod in such positions that the two latter will contactwith and operate the aforesaid springpressed plungers 10 to adjust the throwinglevers asaforesaid,andthuscause eitheroneor the other of the counters to be moved into operative position. The arms 7 and 9 are provided-with studs 11 and 12, respectively, the latter operating in a suitable apertured bracket 13, secured to the frame, so as to prevent any twisting of said rod, while the former is adapted to enter a socket 14 in one of the counter-frames, and thus lock this frame in its retracted position when the remaining counter is being operated. The other counter-frame is in turn locked in retracted position at the proper time by a stud 15, mounted on its frame and adapted to enter an aperture 16in the arm 9 when said arm is moved toward the same by the longitudinal movement of the rod 6. This movement of the rod is effected by a key 17, comprisinga slidable rod having a suitable head and mounted in suitable guides, so that its inner beveled end will contact with the beveled end of the said shifting-rod. (See Fig. at.) The relative angles of the bevel ends of the two rods is such that the rod 17 has a greater movement than the rod 6, so as to permit the desired movement of said latter rod and still move the rod 17 sufficiently to properly cooperate with its locks hereinafter described. The key-rod is provided with a flange 19, which cooperates with the bolts of an upper lock 20 and a lower lock 21. This system of locking is especially valuable where the machine is used by two clerks who operate it at different times. In practical use one of the locks is assigned to each clerk, and they are given the keys to their respective locks. By means of the locking system each clerk is enabled to have entire control of his counter. When he comes on duty, he is enabled to throw into operation his own counter; but he cannot throw into operation the other coun ter. \Vhen he goes off duty, he can lock out his own counter, and yet leave the machine in condition so that the clerk who succeeds him can immediately put his counter into operative engagement. To this end the flange 19 has three positions in which it may be locked. It is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings in its forward position, one of the counters being locked in condition for engagement with the registering mechanism. In its intermediate position it is locked between the two bolts, and in its rearmost position it is behind the narrowed end of the bolt of lock 20. When it is in its rearmost position, the other counter is locked in condition for engagement with the registering mechanism, and when one counter is locked in of course the other is locked out. When the flange is locked in its intermediate position, the machine is entirely locked and cannot be operated. When one clerk goes 0E duty, if his successor is not on the spot he leaves the machine in this locked condition-that is, he inserts his key and pushes the shifting-rod 17 so that the flange 19 is in its intermediate position. He then locks his bolt, leaving the machine so that a key cannot be pressed or the drawer opened. When his successor comes on duty, he inserts his key and by turning it unlocks his look and withdraws the bolt thereof. He can then press or pull the shifting-rod and by thereafter locking his bolt he locks his counter into engagement. If both clerks are on duty and operating the machine during the same time, both of the bolts of the locks and 21 will be retracted,

and the shifting-rod 17 may then be moved to either its front or rear position, according to which clerk may be operating the machine. The key or shifting rod normally stands 'in its outer position; but when it is pressed in ward to shift the rod 6 it does not immediately return upon being relieved of pressure, as the said rod 6 is restrained against the tension of its spring by a pivoted springpressed latching or locking lever 22, mounted on the main frame and arranged to normally engage a bevel-ended nut 23, secured to said rod 6. (See Figs. 1, 3, and '7.) After the inner end of the lever has become caught over the nut 23 upon the longitudinal movement of the rod 6 the latter is locked in position and is only released by said lever approximately at the end of the operation of the register byaoam 24, fast on the rotation-shaft 25 of the machine and arranged to engage and depress one arm 22 of the inner yoke end of the said lever, said yoke embracing said cam. The upper arm 22 of said yoke is adapted to lock the rotation-shaft 25 during the first movement of the rod 6 by being forced in front of a shoulder 22 on said cam by the beveled not on said rod. After the latchinglever has passed over the bevel-nut the arm 22 disengages from the shoulder 22 and permits the shaft 25 to operate.

By the above-described devices the operation of the machine is prevented until the counters have been fully shifted, and the key 17 is returned to normal position at each operation of the machine unless locked in its adjusted positions by the aforesaid locks 20 and 21. In addition to the above-mentioned parts the rod 6 is provided near one end with an angular plate 26, having a diagonal slot 27 formed therein and adapted to receive a pin 28, mounted on a crank-arm 29, which in turn is secured to a printing-segment 30 of similar construction to the regular printingsegments described in the above-mentioned patent. The segment 30 is provided with two printing types or characters which represent the characters of the two counters, so that a character or department designation corresponding to the counter being used is printed on the detail strip or check in alinement with the amount of the transaction that has been registered on said counter.

The printing devices may be of any suitable construction; but I prefer to employ a mechanism substantially of the construction shown in said patent, in which the printingwheels are connected to the operating-segments through nested sleeves. (See Fig. 4.)

In addition to the above-described devices the rod 6 is provided with two oppositely-facing nuts 47 and 48, the office of which is to throw either one or the other of the operating devices for the auxiliary special counters 49 and 50 into operative position. Each of these operating devices comprises a pivoted lever 51, an operating-lever 52, pivotally mounted thereon and connected thereto bya coil-spring 53, and an operating-bar 54, fast to' the key-coupler 52, which is of the construction described in said patent. This bar 54 is provided with a pin 55, which projects into an angular slot 56, formed in the lever 52, whereby when the key-coupler is elevated said pin is depressed and if lying in the upper end of the angular slot will force the lever 52 downward and operate the special counter connected thereto. The coil-spring 53 normally draws the lever 52 forward out of operative position; but when said lever is forced backward by one of the bevel-nuts engaging the same upon the movement of the rod 6 the pin 55 enters the upper portion of the angular slot in said lever, so that when the bar 54 moves downward the lever 52 will also move correspondingly.

The auxiliary special counters employed are of the type described and illustrated in the patent to Thomas Carney, No. 532,762, dated January 22, 1895, and I will therefore refer to the same for a detail'description of said counters. I provide one of these auxiliary special counters for each special department-counter, and the operation of the shifting devices of said counters also shifts the operating devices of these special counters. The office of said auxiliary special counters is to record, respectively, the number of times their respective totalizing-counters are operated, so that the number of transactions recorded upon each totalizing-counter may be ascertained at a glance. In connection with the two totalizing-counters shown in the present machine it is very desirable to provide a special indicator for indicating which counter each transaction is being registered upon. In the present instance I have illustrated a bar and caf indicator in connection with the two counters which register the respective sales in the corresponding departments. This indicator is located abovethe regular amount-indicators and comprises a rectangular indicator proper, 4, and a supporting and operating rod 33, upon which said indicator is rigidly mounted. The opposite ends of this rod are journaled in the side portions of the frame, so as to support the indicator in a horizontal position above the regular tablet-ind icators, and a slotted arm 34 is rigidly secured to one end of said rod, so as to receive a pin 35, mounted on a vertical slide 36, which in turn is mounted in suitable guides on the main frame. This slide extends down through the indicatorstem guide-plate 33 and is surrounded by a coil-spring 37, which bears against the under side of said plate at one end and against a pivoted bell-crank pawl 38, mounted on the slide, at its opposite end, so as to normally force the slide downward and the pawl outward at its lower end, the movement of the pawl being limited by a pin 37. The downward movement of the slide is limited by a IOC IIO

pin 37, mounted on the frame and arranged to'engage a shoulder 37, formed on said slide. When the slide is raised, the pawl 38 is forced inward as it passes the indicator latch-bar 39, as the movement of said bar in connection with the regular indicators is subsequent to the movement of the special-indicator slide. The said latch-bar supports the pawl 38, and thus holds the slide 36 in an elevated position until said bar is actuated in the usual manner described in said patent for releasing the indicators,when it drops, if not otherwise su pportedbydeviceshereinafterdescribed. The raising of the slide 36 is accomplished by means of a slotted arm 40, mounted on asleeve 41 and engaging a pin 42, projecting laterally from said slide. The said sleeve is loosely mounted upon the shaft 33 and is provided with a hook-arm 44, which is so arranged as to be engaged by a pin 45, secured to an arm 46, fast upon one of the counter-frames. By this means when the counter-frame carrying said arm is rocked the sleeve 41 is also rocked and the slide 36 is raised, and thus turns the rectangular indicator so that the duplicate indicators upon the top and bottom will be brought into View at the rear and front of the machine.

As all sales are normally thrown into one counter, it is not necessary to operate the special key until it is desired to throw the sale into the other counter, and when such action is necessary the devices are automatically returned to normal position after the operation, as above described. Besides temporarily indicating which of the special counters is being employed for a certain transaction a permanent record of the counter into which each amountis registered is printed in connection with such amounts upon the detail-strip of the printing mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality of counters mounted in independent movable frames and arranged to be brought into connection with the registering mechanism at will, a visual indicator for showing to bystanders which counter is being employed and means connecting one only of the movable counter-frames directly with the indicator so that its movements will move said indicator, while the movements of the remaining counter-frame will not affect said indicator.

2. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality of special counters arranged to be brought into connection therewith at will, a single shifting device for establishing the connection between the said counters and the registering mechanism, auxiliary counters one for each special counterand means connected to the shifting device for bringing the proper auxiliary counter into operative position together with its special counter so that the number of times any special counter is operated will be registered on its auxiliary counter.

3. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality of special counters arranged to be brought into connection therewith at will, a shifting-bar for establishing the connection between the said counters and the registering mechanism, auxiliary counters, one for each special counter, and means connected to the shifting-bar for bringing the proper auxiliary counter into operative position together with its special counter so that the number of times any special counter is operated will be registered on its auxiliary counter.

4. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a printing mechanism connected thereto, a printing-segment, a special key, a plate having an incline slot and arranged to be operated by said key, and a pin mounted on the printing-segment and. projecting into the slot of said plate.

5. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of counters mounted in independent frames and arranged to be brought into connection therewith at will, an indicator having corresponding indications on opposite sides so as to be seen at both the back and the front of the machine, and means for connecting said indicator with one of the counter-frames only whereby it is turned or not according to the position of said counter, while the movements of the remaining counter do not aifect it.

6. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality of counters arranged to be brought into connection therewith at will, an indicator for indicating which counter is being employed, an arm mounted on one of the counters, and means arranged to be struck by said arm for operating said indicator.

7. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality of counters arranged to be brought into connection therewith at will, a rotary indicator having similar indications on opposite sides so as to indicate the same characters at both the front and the back, an arm mounted on one of said counters, and operating devices connected to the indicator and arranged to be struck and operated by the said arm when the counter carrying the same is thrown into operative position.

8. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of two counters arranged to be brought into connection therewith at will, a rod for effecting the engagement of the counters with the registering mechanism, a key having a bevel portion engaging said rod, a plate having an incline slot mounted on said rod, and a printing-segment having a projection engaging the slot in said plate.

9. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, a plurality of independently-mounted counters, a single indicator for said counters, a latch-plate and means connecting said indicator to one of the counters, which means is adapted to be held in position by said latch-plate.

10. In acash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality of independently-movable counters, a counter-indicator, a slide connected to the indicator and arranged to be operated-by means connected to one of the counters only and latching means for holding the indicator set until the succeeding ope-ration of the machine.

11. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of two counters arranged to be brought into connection therewith at will, a shifting-rod for said counters, a key for operating said rod, a spring for normally forcing said rod in one direction, a beveled nut on said rod, a latch-lever arranged to engage said nut, and means connected with the movable parts of the machine for operating said lever to release it from said nut.

12. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of two counters independently mounted and arranged to be thrown into connection therewith at will, a movable rod adapted to engage and adjust one of said counters for movement into operative position and simultaneously lock the other against such movement, and an operating-key having a beveled portion arranged to engage a portion of said rod whereby the movement of said key will move said rod.

13. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a counter normally cooperating with the same and arranged to automatically return to cooperative position when moved from it, a second counter, means for moving the latter into cooperative position with the registering mechanism and simultaneously disengaging the first-mentioned counter, .and an indicator controlled by the movements of said counters for indicating which of the same is being used.

14. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of two counters arranged to be brought into connection therewith at will, an indicator for said counters having corresponding indications upon opposite sides, a slotted arm connected to said indicator, a slide having a pin engaging said slotted arm, and an arm mountedon one of the counter-frames and connected to said slide.

15. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of two counters mounted on movable frames so that they may .be brought into connection therewith at will,

a slidable rod arranged to bring'either one or the other of the counters into operative condition, means mounted on said rod for looking the inoperative counter in position, a key for operating said rod and a device for looking said rod in position and automatically releasing it near the end of the operation of the machine.

16. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality, of special counters arranged to be brought into connection therewith at will, auxiliary counters one for each special counter and a single means for setting any desired special counter for operation and simultaneously bringing the corresponding auxiliary counter into operative condition.

17. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism of a plurality of independent counters arranged to be brought into connection therewith at will, a shiftingrod, a pivoted latching-lever coo peratingiwith said rod, and formed with a yoke, and acam arranged to cooperate with the respective arms of said yoke to raise and lower the said latch and also look the machine.

18. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality of counters arranged to be moved into connection therewith at will, ashifting-rod for said counters, a latching-lever for the rod and means connecting said latching-lever to the registering mechanismwhereby the latter is locked until the shifting-rod is fully operated.

19. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a series of special independent counters, a single means for adjusting any one of said counters for operation in connection with the registering mechanism, a series of auxiliary special counters arranged to be set for operation by the adjusting means, and adapted to add one at each operation, and means connected to the registering mechanism for operating said auxiliary counters.

20. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality of independent counters arranged to be thrown into connection therewith at will, a common means for adjusting either of said counters for operation, independent locks arranged to lock the said common adjusting means at either end of its limit of movement or at an intermediate position between said locks from which it may be adjusted to either of its limits of movement by the operation of the proper lock.

21. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality of independent counters arranged to be thrown into connection therewith at will, a common means for adjusting either one of said counters for operation in connection with the registering mechanism, independent locks for positively locking the common adjusting means in either of its adjusted positions or in an intermediate position, and devices for locking the registering mechanism when the adjusting means is in said intermediate position.

22. In a cash-register, the combination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality of independent counters arranged to be thrown into connection therewith at will, a common means for adjusting either one of said counters for operation in connection with the registering mechanism, independentlocks which may be operated only by the person having the key thereto and adapted to positively lock said adjusting means in either one or the other of its counter adjusting positions or in an intermediate position in which neither of the counters can be operated.

23. In acash-register, the combination with the registering mechanism, of a plurality of counters adapted to be brought into engagement therewith, one of said counters being arranged to be normally and automatically brought into such engagement upon the operation of the machine, an adjusting or shifting means for throwingmut the lastmentioned counter and adjusting another counter for engagement with the registering mechanism, locking-bolts arranged to lock said adjusting means in normal position so that one of the counters will be locked in condition for engagement with the registering mechanism,

or to lock it in an abnormal position so that another counter will be locked in condition for such engagement, or to lock it in a third position in which the registering mechanism is locked from operation.

24. In a cash-register, the combination with the registering mechanism, of two counters normally disengaged therefrom, the first being arranged so that normally upon the operation of the key-levers it will automatically engage the registering mechanism, the second counter being arranged so that it will not normally engage the registering mechanism, an adjusting or shifting handle or rod arranged to throw said first counter out of condition for engagement with the registering mechanism and to bring the second counter into condition for such engagement, and locking-bolts arranged to lock the said rod or handle in one position so that the first counter will be brought into condition for engagement, or in a second position where the second counter will be brought into condition for such engagement, and in a third position where the registering mechanism will be locked from operation.

25. In a cash-register the combination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality of independent counters arranged to be thrown into connection therewith at will, a common means for adjusting either one of said counters for operation in connection with the registering mechanism and locking devices for locking said adjusting means in either one or the other of its adjusted positions orin an intermediate position' in which it will be free when properly operated to be moved to either of its operative positions.

26. In acash-register thecombination with a registering mechanism, of a plurality of independent counters arranged to be thrown into connection therewith at will, a common means for adjusting either one of said counters for operation in connection with the registering mechanism and a plurality of locks for securing the adjusting means in either one or the other of its operative positions or in an intermediate position from which it may be moved to either of its operative positions.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH P. CLEAL.

Witnesses:

IRA BERKSTRESSER, ALVAN MACAULEY. 

